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Today in History, April 11: Civil Rights Act of 1968 signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson

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Tom Kimmel is one of 19 protesters arrested by Tennessee Highway Patrol officers in front of the executive residence of Gov. Don Sundquist on April 18, 2000. The group, made up mostly of Vanderbilt Divinity students, was protesting capital punishment and the execution of convicted child killer Robert Glen Coe. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Abraham Bonowitz, who is from a citizens group in Florida, is one of 19 protesters arrested by Tennessee Highway Patrol officers in front of the executive residence of Gov. Don Sundquist on April 18, 2000. The group, made up mostly of Vanderbilt Divinity students and others, was protesting capital punishment and the execution of convicted child killer Robert Glen Coe. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

The traditional Vietnamese Head Dancers from Glencliff High School perform during the International Festival of Cultures, held at Lipscomb University on April 2, 2000. The events were held inside due to the weather. Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean

Death row inmate Philip Workman, left, listens to Lisa Helton, victim liaison for the state attorney general's office, as she reads a letter submitted by Sandra Noblin, wife of slain officer Lt. Ronald Oliver, at the conclusion of the prosecution's presentation April 3, 2000. Both sides had a chance to present to Gov. Don Sundquist's representative during a clemency hearing at Riverbend Prison. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

Andrew Melo, a freshman from Martin Luther King Magnet School, holds a sign professing his need for education as students protest outside the Metro Courthouse to show their concern for the upcoming projected shortfall in the Metro budget April 4, 2000. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Gov. Don Sundquist, left, welcomes Dave Zabrowski, vice president of North American PC Business for Hewlett-Packard, as Hewlett-Packard unveils plans for expanding operations in La Vergne on April 4, 2000. Zabrowski also showed off two of its newest computers on the market, the HP NT Workstation, left, and HP PC. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Rozanne Jackson, left, of Nashville and friend Sandra Lanigan of Brentwood drink cafe mochas and discuss interior design during lunch at the Coffee Talk Cafe in Franklin on April 4, 2000. John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Loretta Lynn, left, gets a hug backstage at the Ryman Auditorium before her performance during the Legendary Songwriters Acoustic concert that kicked off Tin Pan South on April 4, 2000. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

Loretta Lynn gets a kiss from host Mac Davis as she takes the stage for her performance during the Legendary Songwriters Acoustic concert at the Ryman Auditorium on April 4, 2000. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

Freddy Krespo visits his daughter Olivia, 9 months, in the Deutsche Bank's Kids Corner on April 5, 2000. The new backup child care center, located at the Nashville office of Deutsche Bank's BT Services Tennessee in Grassmere Business Park, is having its grand opening in its building for employees with children to assist when their regular day care arrangements break down. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

An internet kiosk, here April 6, 2000, will greet customers to the remodeled Service Merchandise store on Hickory Hollow Parkway in Antioch. Its new logo, featured about the kiosk, is designed to identify the company as a multi-channel retailer with products in stores and available by phone or over the web at servicemerchandise.com. Nina Long / The Tennessean

Vanderbilt research instructor Kong Chen demonstrates on April 6, 2000, the Bod Pod, a new device to measure body fat, as staff nurse Joyce Poe is tucked away in the pod. The equipment belongs to the Clinical Nutrition Research Unit at Vanderbilt. Michael Clancy / For The Tennessean

Keisha Kirby, a freshman from Hillwood High, leaps through the air in the long jump competition during the Scott Hartman Relays at Brentwood High School on April 6, 2000. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators goalie Mike Dunham stops one of the shots by Anaheim Mighty Ducks' Teemu Selanne (8), but the Predators lost their last game of the season 5-1 at Gaylord Entertainment Center on April 7, 2000. Dunham's teammate Karlis Skrastins (3) drops to block the incoming puck. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

Nashville Predators team captain Tom Fitzgerald gave 9-year-old Jeremy Sledge the jersey off his back after the last game of the season, a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, at Gaylord Entertainment Center on April 7, 2000. Sledge was chosen in a random drawing. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

Virgis W. Colbert, left, and Dr. George Neely Jr., right, place a medallion around the neck of John L. Smith Jr. during his inauguration as president of Fisk University on April 8, 2000, at the Fisk Memorial Chapel. Mandy Lunn / The Tennessean

Driver Randy LaJoie makes his way through the melee as the leaders crash during the closing laps of the BellSouth Mobility 320 to take the lead and win the race at Nashville Motor Speedway on April 8, 2000. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

As Alex Barrett, 11, of Milton, Tenn., has his 7 1/2-inch bubble measured by the bubble meter, Tyler Pyles, 9, of Liberty, Tenn., gets a face full of bubblegum April 8, 2000. The youngsters were at a Murfreesboro Walmart to participate in a nationwide Biggest Bubble contest sponsored by Double Bubble. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Vanderbilt students Kara Spoonhour and Gregory Cress study anthropology among the flowers in Centennial Park on April 9, 2000. "It's good to get off campus sometimes," Cress said. "We like it here; it's colorful." Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Colby Green, 2, enjoys himself at Charles Patterson's pony rides along Charlotte Avenue in West Nashville on April 9, 2000. Colby's parents said they were driving by when Colby looked up from his car seat and exclaimed, "Horsies!" This was his second trip. Patterson takes his ponies to a different part of town every Thursday through Sunday. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

A large crane hovers over the construction of the $25 million, 210-room Embassy Suites hotel on Broadway on April 10, 2000. Memphis-based Development Services Group plans to open the hotel in January or February of 2001. Billy Kingsley / The Tennessean

The mother of Vice President Al Gore, Pauline LaFon Gore, laughs at one of her son's jokes during a Nashville City Club luncheon in her honor April 10, 2000. The vice president joined his mother as she was awarded an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree by Union University, where she once attended. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

Taylor Randolph, a kindergarten student at Cane Creek Elementary in Cookeville, Tenn., rolls her Easter egg during the sixth annual Easter egg roll at the governor's mansion in Nashville on April 11, 2000. First lady Martha Sundquist was the hostess along with her husband, Gov. Don Sundquist. Delores Delvin / The Tennessean

Photos of past legislative members grace the wall above Ernestine Springfield, left, Eliza Miller, Lavanda Waddle and Archie Bayliss as the ladies from Jackson, Tenn., finish their lunch at Legislative Plaza before attending a rally in the House chambers sponsored by AARP on April 11, 2000. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Vince Gill congratulates wife Amy Grant after she teed off at the Legends Club of Tennessee during media day April 12, 2000. They are hosts of the LPGA tournament that begins May 11 at the club in Franklin. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Amy Grant lines up a putt during media day at the Legends Club of Tennessee on April 12, 2000. Grant and husband Vince Gill are hosting the LPGA tournament that starts May 11 at the club. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Rock star Bruce Springsteen performs at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on April 12, 2000. The Boss and the E Street Band reunion tour began last April in Europe. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Rock star Bruce Springsteen belts out one of his hits at Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville on April 12, 2000. The Boss and the E Street Band reunion tour began last April in Europe. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Jose De la Paz, right, prays during Mass at Holy Rosary in Donelson on April 14, 2000. The Catholic Diocese of Nashville estimates there are between 40,000 and 50,000 Latinos attending Middle Tennessee Catholic churches. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

Mark Miller, left, lead singer of Sawyer Brown, reunited with Ed McMahon on April 14, 2000, for the first time since the band's 1984 "Star Search" appearance that launched their career. McMahon was coming through Nashville on his nextbigstar.com bus tour on his way to Atlanta. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Bob Johnson, left, Anthony Palevo, George Austin and Steve Henley pass by famous landmarks like Tootsie's Orchid Lounge on Broadway on April 15, 2000, as they train for the Country Music Marathon. Larry Mccormack / The Tennessean

With his 4-year-old son, Garrett, on his shoulders, Kevin Hall of Lebanon watches the Tennessee Titans make their first-round draft pick on the Jumbotron at Adelphia Coliseum on April 15, 2000. After it was announced that the Titans had picked Syracuse linebacker Keith Bulluck, Hall commented, "Good, we need a linebacker." Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Lisa Goldstein and her 22-month-old daughter, Sarah, look at a Shabbat plate in the gift shop of the newly renovated Gordon Jewish Community Center during the grand opening April 16, 2000. The expansion brings the facility to 82,000 square feet. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Gospel greats Bill Gaither, left, and his wife, Gloria, right, pose with ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley and U.S. Sen. John Ashcroft, R-Mo., during the ASCAP Christian Music Awards dinner April 17, 2000. In an award presented by Ashcroft, the Gaither team was named ASCAP Songwriter of the Century. Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean

Charlotte Stout, the mother of Cary Ann Medlin, the 8-year-old girl whom Robert Glen Coe was convicted of murdering, speaks during a memorial service held for her daughter at Centennial Park on April 18, 2000, hours before Coe was executed. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

A turkey vulture is anesthetized for surgery at the Airport Animal Clinic in Nashville on April 18, 2000. The bird was found shot in Williamson County recently and suffered a broken wing and leg. Delores Delvin / The Tennessean

Dr. Brandon Dixon of the Airport Animal Clinic in Nashville drills an opening in the wing of a turkey vulture as he repairs the bird's broken wing with pins April 18, 2000. Delores Delvin / The Tennessean

Opponents of the death penalty raise their candles as they sing "This Little Light of Mine" at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution on April 18, 2000. Robert Glen Coe will be the first prisoner executed in Tennessee since 1960. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Charlotte Ann Stout, center, mother of Carey Medlin, leaves the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution on April 19, 2000, after the execution of Robert Glen Coe at 1:37 a.m. She is accompanied by family members and corrections officers. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

Local historian Carole Bucy, center, points out unique and interesting sites as she leads a Presbyterian group on a tour of the old Nashville City Cemetery on April 19, 2000. The tour examined signs of faith and hope of resurrection on the tombstones of Nashville's 19th-century ancestors. Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean

A thank-you note greets visitors at the entrance of the Hermitage Golf Course on April 19, 2000. The LPGA event, now the inaugural Electrolux USA Championship, has moved to the Legends Club of Tennessee in Franklin. Larry Mccormack / The Tennessean

Kenny Hilt grouts the tile work around the new 8,000-square-foot pool called Suntan Lagoon being built at Nashville Shores on April 19, 2000. Hilt works for Blue Haven Pools of Indianapolis. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

Lipscomb Elementary students play tag around the landmark firetruck April 19, 2000. The firetruck is going to be removed for safety reasons from the playground. The 61-year-old firetruck has been at Lipscomb for 25 years. John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Jordan Belote 2, and his aunt, Lacey Belote, listen to music in the sound booth of the Old Navy store at Bellevue Center on April 19, 2000. The clothing store for men, women, children and babies is making its debut on the lower level of the mall next to Proffitt's. Delores Delvin / The Tennessean

The Rev. Bill McNeeley rehearses "The Exultet" on April 20, 2000. It's a hymn of praise sung to the risen Lord that he will sing on Easter Sunday at the start of his service at St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Tenn. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Gas service stations along Hillsboro Road near Green Hills Mall on April 20, 2000, reflect the high gas prices, the primary culprit in the rising cost of driving an automobile this year. Eric Parsons / The Tennessean

Rick Guthrie, right, owner of a gallery at The Factory at Franklin, gets waited on by Tamara Parker of the South City Baking Company on April 20, 2000. Guthrie eats there almost every day and has a sandwich named after him, the Grilled Rick Wrap. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Eating at the South City Baking Company in The Factory at Franklin on April 20, 2000, are Terri Sanford, left, Bryan Garvin and Aaron Hatch. All three work at The Factory. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

Jesus, played by Bill Gill Jr., carries his cross down Gallatin Road followed by a crowd also dressed in period clothing as they re-create the walk Christ took to the crucifixion on April 21, 2000. The walk ended at First Assembly of God in Madison, where the Rev. Loren Gregory gave a narration of the events as Jesus was placed on the cross in front of the church. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

The Rev. Steve Brock, left, and the Rev. Benny Hinn lead the crowd in song during the Benn Hinn Crusade at Gaylord Entertainment Center on April 21, 2000. About 10,000 attended the event. Delores Delvin / The Tennessean

Ray Balz shows off the winning Kiss tickets he found in the WNRQ FM The Rock at 105.9 scavenger hunt contest April 24, 2000. The clue for the day was to look for something small and green and with one leg, which was the mile marker on Bell Road near the I-24 ramps. The laminated voucher is good for a pair of front-row tickets for the April 28 concert. Ricky Rogers / The Tennessean

An aerial shot shows Opry Mills on April 26, 2000. Officials at Opry Mills have set aside extra parking spaces for opening day May 11 when about 100,000 shoppers are expected. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

Trainers and new hires at Johnny Rockets, a '50-style diner in the new Opry Mills, rehearse a dance April 26, 2000, that they all must know before the restaurant officially opens May 11. Trainers Richard Martin, left, and Erica Bonsall, along with Denise Sircy, Mary Bingham, trainer Anthony LeFala and Jennifer Patterson practice their steps. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

Bill Taylor and Judy Hall, co-owners of the Sub Stop at 17th Avenue South and Broadway, pose in front of their submarine sandwich shop April 26, 2000. They have been at the pink building on the corner for a decade. Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Maintenance worker Don Gurchiek repaints the sign at the entrance of the Legends Club of Tennessee on Franklin Road on April 27, 2000. The club will host the Electrolux LPGA tournament in May. John Partipilo / The Tennessean

Oklahoma RedHawks pitcher R.A. Dickey watches the action against the Nashville Sounds from the dugout at Greer Stadium on April 28, 2000. The Nashville native was scheduled to make his first pro start against the Sounds the next night. Bill Steber / The Tennessean

Spurred on by a fan, Nashville Kats' Tyronne Jones returns a kickoff for a touchdown early in the second quarter against the Florida Bobcats in Arena Football League action at Gaylord Entertainment Center on April 28, 2000. The Kats knocked off previously unbeaten Florida 34-27. Freeman Ramsey / The Tennessean

Jenni Arthur gives Lincoln Hughes a hug after he caught a guitar pick thrown to him from Mark Chestnutt during the George Strait Country Music Festival on April 30, 2000. This was the first music event held at the new Adelphia Coliseum. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

George Strait entertains the spirited crowd at his country music festival at Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville on April 30, 2000. The event, which lasted about nine hours, drew more than 50,000 fans. Randy Piland / The Tennessean

In 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated as Emperor of the French and was banished to the island of Elba. (Napoleon later escaped from Elba and returned to power in March 1815, until his downfall in the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815.)

In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln spoke to a crowd outside the White House, saying, "We meet this evening, not in sorrow, but in gladness of heart." (It was the last public address Lincoln would deliver.)

In 1921, Iowa became the first state to impose a cigarette tax, at 2 cents a package.

In 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the Nazi concentration camp Buchenwald in Germany.

In 1951, President Harry S. Truman relieved Gen. Douglas MacArthur of his commands in the Far East.

In 1961, former SS officer Adolf Eichmann went on trial in Israel, charged with crimes against humanity for his role in the Nazi Holocaust. (Eichmann was convicted and executed.)

In 1965, dozens of tornadoes raked six Midwestern states on Palm Sunday, killing 271 people.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which included the Fair Housing Act, a week after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1970, Apollo 13, with astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert, blasted off on its ill-fated mission to the moon.

In 1974, Palestinian gunmen killed 16 civilians, mostly women and children, in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shemona.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan returned to the White House from the hospital, 12 days after he was wounded in an assassination attempt.

In 1996, 7-year-old Jessica Dubroff, who hoped to become the youngest person to fly cross-country, was killed along with her father and flight instructor when their plane crashed after takeoff from Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Ten years ago: Thousands of people stood in the streets of Poland's cities in a silent tribute to President Lech Kaczynski and the other 95 people killed in a plane crash the day before.

Five years ago: President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raoul Castro sat down together on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Panama City in the first formal meeting of the two countries' leaders in half a century.

One year ago: British police brought Julian Assange from the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, where he had taken refuge for nearly seven years, and the U.S. charged the WikiLeaks founder with conspiring with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to get their hands on government secrets; the arrest came after Ecuador revoked the political asylum that had protected Assange in the embassy. (Assange continues to fight extradition to the United States.)